Fuzzy Feet Dog Rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where can I meet/adopt the dogs/puppies?
A. Since we do not have a central shelter we hold adoption events every weekend. A list is on our homepage. This is the best place to meet a dog that you are interested in. We do not bring every dog to every event so it is important that you let us know that you will be attending to see a particular dog. 

Q. How does the adoption process begin?
A. you can meet our dogs at our adoption events. A list is on our homepage. If you are interested in a specific dog please let us know as not as dogs attend all adoption events.

Q. Who should I bring to the adoption event?
A. Family members and any other dogs you have to see how the dog you're interested in will interact.  This will help ensure that it is a perfect match.

Q. What are your adoption fees?
A. 
 - Adults (any dog older than 1 year) are $200
 - Puppies (dogs under 6mo) are $300.
 - Senior dogs or dogs with special needs may be discounted.

Q. Why are your fees higher than the shelter?
A. Our fees are similar to that of other private rescue groups. We are a private non-profit that does not get any help from the government. We rely on the adoption fees and donations so that we can save dogs.

Q. What does the adoption fee cover?
A. We spay and neuter our dogs prior to adoption.  In addition, they will be up to date on their vaccines. 

Q. Where does my donation/adoption fee go?
A. Adoption fees pay for the medical care, vaccines, and food of the dogs that are in foster care.

We also use a substantial amount of donations/adoption fees to spay/neuter the dogs of low income families in Mexico. We have a volunteer that goes door-to-door in Mexico and asks people if we can spay/neuter their dog or cat. We fix 20 dogs/cats per week in Mexico on average.

Q. What happens if the adoption doesn't work out?
A. If you decide that the adoption is not working out during the first two weeks you may return the dog to FFDR. Please bring the dog to the following adoption event Saturday adoption event following my notice of intent to return the dog. Dogs returned 2 weeks after adoption must be fostered by the relinquishing family until the dog is placed in a new home by FFDR.

Q. I adopted a dog from FFDR last week and it is sick.
A. Most of the animals that are available for adoption came to us because they were either stray, relinquished or scheduled for euthanasia. We do not know the history of the majority of the animals. We do not know how they were treated or what vaccinations they may have received. Whenever an animal is anywhere other than a home, they come in contact with disease. We watch the animals daily and if an animal shows any signs of sickness they are evaluated and pulled from adoptive status to prevent the spread of disease. Many diseases are airborne. If an animal has not been vaccinated or built up an immunity to the disease, it may get sick. 

The incubation period for most diseases is two weeks. This means that an animal may be a carrier before it enters our care. It also means that an animal may look and act perfectly healthy today and tomorrow it may be sick. It takes approximately two weeks after an animal has been vaccinated for it to build up an immunity. So even if the animal has been vaccinated, it does not mean it will not get sick. We have a very high adoption rate at FFDR and the majority of adoptions have happy endings. On rare occasions an animal becomes sick during the incubation period of two weeks.

FFDR never knowingly adopts a sick or diseased animal. To insure the health of the animal following the adoption a veterinary exam, paid for by the ADOPTER at a vet of the ADOPTER’S choice, is encouraged. In the unlikely event the animal becomes ill and is returned to FFDR within two weeks of the date on the adoption contract a 100% refund with be issued to ADOPTER. No refunds will be given after two weeks of the date on the adoption contract.

Q. What can I expect when adopting a dog/puppy?
A. Adopting a pet is like having a child.  You will need time, patience, energy, and of course money to financially support your new addition to the family.  It takes dedication and patience to raise a dog.  Adopting a dog is a great commitment, so keep in mind that a dog will react to its environment based on its personality.  How a dog will react and interact with its environment is largely dependent on its past experiences.  Adoption should be well-thought out and taken seriously.  If you are a family, ensure that all family members agree to adopting a dog.

Q. Are the dogs Microchipped?
A. We do not microchip the dogs prior to adoption. We would rather spend the money to spay/neuter low income families dogs because that is the area that we feel needs more help. However, we think that microchipping is very important way to ensure that you will will get your dog back if they become lost, so we highly recommend that you get it done. The County of San Diego offers microchipping clinics in San Diego for about $10. 

Microchip Clinic, Humane Society 
Microchip Clinic, San Diego County Animal Shelter

Q. Why can't I adopt a dog?
A. We do reserve the right to refuse adoption. If your application for the adoption of a pet is not approved, we will do our best to explain the reason(s). A denial is not a rejection of you as a person; it is a refusal to place a pet in a situation that we do not feel is a good match or does not meet our polices. For example your pets must be spayed or neutered in order to adopt a FFDR dog. 

Q. Can I adopt a pit bull?
A. Fuzzy Feet Dog Rescue policy requires that pit bulls may only be placed in homes where the adopter is the home owner. We are not able to place pit bulls in rental homes.

Q. How can I help?
A. We are in always in need in fosters for the dogs. It is a great way to help out a dog and does not cost you anything. It is a way of helping a dog but you don't have to worry about the long term responsibility of the dog because we will cover all expenses until the dog is adopted. Minimum foster commitments are 2 weeks.

Q. I'm interested in being a foster.  What is required of me?
A. We will provide (veterinary care, dog food, dog crate, toys, etc.). All you have to do is provide love, affection and care for your dog such as basic training, socialization, and healthy behavior practices. Please update us on how your foster dog is doing. We rely on our fosters to provide updated images and biographies for our available dogs.  This will help them find their forever home faster.

Q. I can't be a foster parent for a dog.  How else can I help?
A. Our organization relies upon volunteers to help set-up, participate in, and break-down our adoption events.  Please contact us for volunteer opportunities.  In addition, we are in need of items to help care for our rescue dogs.  Here is a list of the following items that we need:Dog Food, Dog Crates, Leashes, Collars, Dog Toys, Dog Treats, Newspapers, Blankets, Dog Beds, Dog Houses, Donations to help cover medical expenses.

Q. I am looking for a dog/puppy but do not see many on your website.
A. We have many dog/puppies that are becoming available that we do not have time to post our our website as they typically get adopted at the first adoption event they attend. They are rescued from families that have not fixed their dogs in Mexico. When we rescue these relinqushed puppies we fix them and the previous owners mother dog as well free of charge to the relinquisher.

If you are interested in adopting a dog/puppy please attend one of our adoption events. 

We rescue a lot of Shepherd / Lab Mix dogs/puppies but ocassionally we rescue cute terrier puppies like Bolita (shown in the picture) and various other mixes.

All puppies will be 4 months old, or older, and will be Spayed/Neutered and up-to-date on shots prior to adoption.

Thank you for your interest in a rescue dog!